Leviticus 22:8

8 "'If a priest finds an animal that died by itself or that was killed by some other animal, he must not eat it. If he does, he will become unclean. I am the Lord.

Leviticus 22:8 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:8

That which dieth of itself, or is torn [with beasts]
Whether fowls or beasts, and even clean ones, which, had they been killed in a proper manner, were fit to cut, but dying of themselves, or torn to pieces by other birds or beasts of prey, might not, see ( Ezekiel 44:31 ) ; he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith;
being impure food, at least in a ceremonial sense, and not fit to be eaten; these things were forbid a common Israelite, and much less might a priest eat of them, see ( Leviticus 17:15 ) ; I [am] the Lord;
who enjoin this, and expect to be obeyed.

Leviticus 22:8 In-Context

6 Anyone who touches those things will become unclean until evening. That person must not eat the holy offerings unless he washes with water.

7 He will be clean only after the sun goes down. Then he may eat the holy offerings; the offerings are his food.

8 "'If a priest finds an animal that died by itself or that was killed by some other animal, he must not eat it. If he does, he will become unclean. I am the Lord.

9 "'If the priests keep all the rules I have given, they will not become guilty; if they are careful, they will not die. I am the Lord who has made them holy.

10 Only people in a priest's family may eat the holy offering. A visitor staying with the priest or a hired worker must not eat it.